Judge resets trial in Iowa City Ped Mall shooting to Jan. 22

Lamar Wilson plans to use 'stand your ground' defense

Lamar Wilson walks into the courtroom for a hearing at the Johnson County Courthouse in Iowa City on Friday, Oct. 27, 2017. Wilson is charged with first-degree murder, two counts of attempted murder, three counts of intimidation with a dangerous weapon and criminal gang participation. (Stephen Mally/The Gazette)

IOWA CITY — A judge on Wednesday reset the start date for Lamar Wilson’s first-degree murder trial to Jan. 22 after Wilson waived his right to a speedy trial.

Wilson, 21, claims he should have “stand your ground” immunity in the Aug. 27 fatal shooting on the Ped Mall in Iowa City because, he says, he was acting in self-defense.

Wilson asked for his trial — originally set to start Nov. 27 — to be continued following 6th Judicial District Judge Paul Miller's ruling on Friday that denied Wilson’s request for an evidentiary hearing to determine if Wilson, who is using the “stand your ground” law in his defense, was justified in using deadly force when he fatally shot Kaleek Jones, 22, and injured two others in the shooting. Jones died as the result of a gunshot wound to his back and neck.

Miller said Friday he will let a jury decide the verdict and then make a separate ruling on the immunity issue.

In addition to the first-degree murder charge, Wilson faces two counts of attempted murder, three counts of intimidation with a dangerous weapon and criminal gang participation. Initially, he demanded his trial start within 90 days of arraignment, which meant the trial had to start before Dec. 6.

The trial will take place in Polk County District Court. Miller previously granted Wilson’s request to move the trial out of Johnson County based on extensive pretrial publicity.

If convicted of the murder charge, Wilson faces life in prison without parole.

MORE Johnson County Metro ARTICLES TO READ NEXT ...

IOWA CITY - The owner of an Iowa City auto repair business was arrested Monday after police say he accused a customer of being a terrorist.According to an Iowa City police criminal complaint, around 4 p.m. Jan. 8, 47-year-old Chad ...

NORTH LIBERTY - Thanks to support from the North Liberty City Council, as well as the North Liberty community, the North Liberty Police Department has its first K-9 officer.North Liberty Police Chief Diane Venenga said that as of ...